John Hawks is a renowned brand in the field of human evolution and genetics. With a comprehensive understanding of our evolutionary story spanning over six million years, the brand's research covers a broad range of areas, from the origin of the human lineage to recent evolutionary changes. Their work holds significant connections to global health, specifically adaptations to agricultural and sedentary lifestyles, as well as the emergence of new diseases.

The brand is actively involved in paleontological fieldwork in South Africa, notably at the Rising Star cave system, where the groundbreaking discovery of Homo naledi was made in 2013. John Hawks, alongside colleague Lee Berger, has authored two books about these remarkable South African findings, titled "Almost Human" and "Cave of Bones," both published by National Geographic Books.

At their lab, the brand's researchers strive to comprehend the evolution of humans and our ancient relatives. Utilizing innovative techniques, they explore the visualization of fossil hominins' morphology and 3D relationships while also investigating the genetic patterns that connect individuals from diverse populations worldwide. Through the analysis of whole genome sequences from thousands of living and ancient people, they particularly focus on the genetic changes in ancient populations driven by their environments.

John Hawks has had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed scientists and examining collections across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Their work has been featured extensively in various documentaries, including those produced by Netflix, PBS Nova, National Geographic Channel, and BBC, among others.

Embracing the concept of open science, John Hawks actively utilizes technology to make scientific research more accessible to the public. Their dedication to science communication is evident through their insightful weblog and active participation in the science communication community on Twitter.

As the Vilas-Borghesi Distinguished Achievement Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Visiting Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, John Hawks continues to push boundaries and remains dedicated to sharing knowledge and fostering scientific engagement.